Natonal budget 2.25.09

Wednesday

Feb 25, 2009 at 12:01 AMFeb 25, 2009 at 6:22 AM

GateHouse News Service National Budget
For 2/25/09 editions

Here are the top national stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/. Please submit stories below no later than 6 pm local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly.

MORNING MINUTES: Note: we’ve added a little “today in history.” And we’ll still offer Word of the Day, Web Site of the Day and Number to Know. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/morning_minutes

HOME HELP: Weekly home and garden rail, with items on flooring, new light bulbs, do-it-yourself decoration and more. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/home_and_garden/x1749105776/Home-Help-Select-the-best-floor-for-your-home

HOME PAGE: Dress up walls with murals
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1749106928/Weekly-Lifestyle-Home-Garden-Page-Dress-up-walls-with-murals

TRAVELOGUE: Weekly travel rail, with a sleep tips for travelers, a look at a roadside attraction in the San Francisco Bay area and more.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1362383480/Travelogue-How-to-get-better-sleep-while-traveling

FAMILY TIME: Weekly family rail, with a tip on keeping the romance alive, a look at the latest „Madea‰ movie and more.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/family/x1362381600/Family-Time-The-secret-to-romance-A-clean-bathroom

FAITH AN ANCHOR IN THE STORM: - As Lent begins and the recession deepens, Catholic and Protestant churches are responding with donations, words of hope and Easter dinners for the needy. Ledger, Lambert, on wire now With photos
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x1959825004/Faith-an-anchor-in-the-storm-as-Lent-begins

THE BEER NUT: A man who pours himself into travel - He lives the life almost any beer lover would want to lead. John "Woody" Chandler has traveled to every state, and most of the Canadian provinces, drinking beer. MetroWest, on wire now
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/food/beverages/x1959824711/The-Beer-Nut-A-man-who-pours-himself-into-travel

HEALTHY HEART: Cardiologists offer up cuisine that'll keep your ticker healthy - PEORIA – It might be true that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Cardiology and dietary experts at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center are taking it a step further during American Heart Month. They believe a man’s — or woman’s — stomach can guide the way to a healthy heart. By Ryan Ori of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/health/x1362385109

GIVE BEETS A CHANCE: SPRINGFIELD – President Barack Obama hasn’t hit 100 days in office, and already there’s been a red scare. He hates beets. By Kathryn Rem of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/food/x617065271

Entertainment

SUDOKU: March puzzles (253-280) are now posted. Sudoku links package can be found here: http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x776476232/Looking-for-Sudoku

‘UKE’: 'Uke' is just what this founding member of The Cars needed - When musician Greg Hawkes’ wife, Elaine, gave him a ukulele for Valentine’s Day eight years ago, it was the beginning of something that might be called destiny. Hawkes is now a virtuoso on the toy-like string instrument. From the modern fluke ukulele to its “brother,” the flea, Hawkes plays the entire range, sopranino to baritone. CNC, Cruz, with video and photos
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x1237123094/Uke-is-just-what-this-founding-member-of-The-Cars-needed

Opinions

BRITT CARTOON: President Obama and his changing war policy. Will be posted this evening.

MICHAEL WINSHIP: Money is the root of all hypocrisy. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1959822673/Michael-Winship-Money-is-the-root-of-all-hypocrisy

JOE BURNS: Conquering cowardice - Let’s hear it for the New York Post. No sooner had U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder taken Americans to task for failing to talk about race when the Post published a political cartoon with racial overtones that had everyone talking. CNC, on wire now
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x349783454/Joe-Burns-Conquering-cowardice

FRANK MULLIGAN: Yes, lucky reader, it‚s once again time to play „Did this conversation actually take place?‰ http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/opinions/x617065335/Frank-Mulligan-When-shop-talk-turns-to-high-finance

EDITORIAL: Inspiring stories connected by a deadly disease - A young mother of a high school basketball player in Milwaukee dies, setting into motion an inspiring story of sportsmanship involving the DeKalb High School team. A loud-mouthed and brash reality TV star in Britain marries with just weeks to live, generating tender feelings toward the young woman — feelings that Britons never expected. Both these stories are connected by the disease of cervical cancer. An editorial from the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x844643538

News

FALSELY JAILED: Missouri man jailed for almost a year on rape charges is freed after cell phone records reveal woman lied. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/x1959823803/Man-jailed-for-8-months-cleared-after-cell-phone-records-show-woman-lied-about-rape

DISSECTING FEDERAL BAILOUTS: Bentley professors dissect federal bailouts - Scott Latham, assistant management professor at Bentley University, said it's going to be a "long slog" before the end of the current economic slide. Latham and three other professors dissected the global financial mess during a panel discussion held at the university Tuesday.
Daily News Tribune, Conn, on wire now, with photo
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x617066653/Bentley-professors-dissect-federal-bailouts

VET EARNS STRIPES AGAIN: After 64 years, Anthony Scarsciotti has his sergeant's stripes back. Scarsciotti, 85, who served as a high-speed radio operator in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, was demoted to private in 1945 after his captain learned he had revealed their unit's location to his father, Joseph, a Navy man. Using a code name, Scarsciotti told his father that he was stationed on the island of Sansapore, making possible a wonderful, if brief, reunion. Daily News Transcript, Colby, with photo
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x594723493/Veteran-earns-his-stripes-again

BURRIS FOR SENATE: Embattled Illinois Sen. Roland Burris set up a “Burris for Senate” campaign Web site even before he was appointed to his current seat by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. By Bruce Rushton of the State Journal-Register. Will be posted this evening.

SCI FI AUTHOR OBIT: Science fiction author Philip Jose Farmer dead at 91 - PEORIA – Science fiction author Philip Jose Farmer died Wednesday morning at his home. He was 91. The Peoria-based writer had written more than 75 books and was awarded the top honors in his field. That includes the Grand Master Award for Science Fiction in 2001, an award also given to noted authors such as Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein. By Terry Bibo of the Peoria Journal Star. Early version posted; will be updated.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x617066813

Business / Ag

DAVE RAMSEY: Do I have to pay all the credit card fees? Weekly financial Q&A. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x1959823387/Dave-Ramsey-Do-I-have-to-pay-all-the-credit-card-fees

REALTORS SWEETEN DEALS: ROCKFORD – Vic Nafranowicz started in the real estate business in 1980, shortly before mortgage rates began their inexorable climb to 18 percent and Winnebago County’s jobless rate began its rise toward 20 percent in what then was the worst recession since the 1930s. But even in that dark time, Nafranowicz didn’t resort to a trick he’s trying now — cashback incentives for buyers. By Alex Gary of the Rockford Register Star. To localize: Check with local Realtors to see if they're using incentives to help sell homes.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x1056820569

GM DEALERS: Different kind of future for Saturn - PEORIA – Jimmy Scherer comes from a car-selling family. His great-grandfather Otto got started in the business in 1905, receiving a Buick franchise in Wisconsin from founder David Buick. So it's a little surprising to hear Scherer, general manager of Saturn of Peoria, talk about breaking away from General Motors. What isn't surprising is the predicament GM finds itself in - seeking $30 billion to ride out its worst sales slump in 26 years. By Steve Tarter of the Peoria Journal Star. (good to localize: talk to dealers in your area to see what they’re doing these days)
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x1959823076